Heat-resistant portable storage unit

ABSTRACT

A heat resistant portable storage device is provided. The heat resistant portable storage unit may include an outer shell, a thermal liner, and a facing material. The heat resistant fabric that may comprise the thermal liner of the portable storage device may be comprised of non-woven fabric, may be resistant to moisture, and may be coated with one or more heat resistant coatings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a heat-resistant portable storage unit. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a portable storage unit, such as a cosmetics bag, that may comprise heat-resistant fabrics and other materials capable of maintaining relatively stable temperatures within said storage unit.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals, especially women, routinely carry with them when leaving their home a bag or other portable storage unit so that they may bring with them, among other items, cosmetic items and may apply those cosmetics as necessary when away from their home. Under certain circumstances, the interior compartments of such bags may become overheated such as, without limitation, when the outdoor temperature becomes elevated. When the temperate inside of a cosmetics bag or other portable storage unit becomes too elevated, cosmetics contained within the bag may melt thereby irrevocably damaging such cosmetics and rendering them useless. Such damage to cosmetics products may be especially problematic given that certain cosmetic items may be considerably expensive to purchase.

There does not exist a known solution to the problem of damage to cosmetics or other items due to elevated temperatures inside of a bag or other portable storage unit. What is needed is a portable storage unit capable of continuously maintaining, in its interior, a stable temperature that does not result in damage to cosmetics or other items housed within the bag due to temperature level. What is needed is a durable, heat resistant, moisture resistant, bag, or other portable storage unit, capable of housing, without limitation, cosmetic items in such manner that their physical integrity is not compromised due to heat, moisture, or other environmental factors.

SUMMARY

An aspect of this disclosure advantageously provides a portable storage unit suitable for transporting small objects such as, without limitation, cosmetics. An aspect of this disclosure advantageously provides an outer shell, a thermal liner contained within the outer shell that may be made of one or more heat resistant fabrics, and a fabric lining within the thermal liner facing the interior of the portable storage unit. An aspect of this disclosure advantageously provides for a thermal liner that may include a phase change material to help maintain temperature stability inside the portable storage unit. The thermal liner of this disclosure may be made of, without limitation, a non-woven fabric.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the portable storage unit may be rectangular in shape and may be between approximately 7.5 inches and approximately 10 inches in height and between approximately 7.5 inches and approximately 10 inches in length; preferably approximately 8 inches in height and approximately 8 inches in length.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the non-woven heat resistant fabric that may be used to make the thermal liner of the portable storage unit may be comprised of fabric resistant to moisture absorption.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the heat resistant fabric that may be used to make the thermal liner may be a coated fabric. According to an aspect of this disclosure, said coating may be selected from the group consisting of, without limitation, silica, refractory coating, vermiculite, fluoroelastomer, graphite, urethane, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

Terms and expressions used throughout this disclosure are to be interpreted broadly. Terms are intended to be understood respective to the definitions provided by this specification. Technical dictionaries and common meanings understood within the applicable art are intended to supplement these definitions. In instances where no suitable definition can be determined from the specification or technical dictionaries, such terms should be understood according to their plain and common meaning. However, any definitions provided by the specification will govern above all other sources.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages described by this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawing in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a heat resistant portable storage unit, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure is provided to describe various embodiments of a heat resistant cosmetics bag or other portable storage unit. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments and uses of the present portable storage unit that extend beyond the examples of this disclosure. Terms recited in any claim included within this Application are to be interpreted as defined within this disclosure. Singular forms should be read to contemplate and disclose plural alternatives. Similarly, plural forms should be read to contemplate and disclose singular alternatives. Conjunctions should be read as inclusive except where stated otherwise.

Expressions such as “at least one of A, B, and C” should be read to permit any of A, B, or C singularly or in combination with the remaining elements. Additionally, such groups may include multiple instances of one or more elements in that group, which may be included with other elements of the group. All numbers, measurements, and values are given as approximations unless expressly stated otherwise.

For purposes of clearly describing the components and features discussed throughout this disclosure, some frequently used terms will now be defined, without limitation. The term “heat resistant fabric” refers to any material that exhibits thermal insulation. The term “phase change material” (or “PCM”) refers to a substance that releases or absorbs sufficient energy at phase transition (solid to liquid, and liquid to solid, specifically) to provide useful heating or cooling.

Various aspects of the present disclosure will now be described in detail, without limitation. In the following disclosure, a heat resistant portable storage unit will be discussed. Those of skill in the art will appreciate alternative labeling of the portable storage unit, including exemplary portable storage units, as including, without limitation, a cosmetics bag, a make-up bag, a carrying case, a small purse, a toiletry bag, a vanity bag, or other similar names. Skilled readers should not view the inclusion of any alternative labels as limiting in any way.

A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure provides for maintaining a stable temperature below that at which damage may be caused to cosmetic products contained within the storage unit. A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may provide for carrying cosmetics or other useful items while avoiding or minimizing the risk of damage to such items housed within said storage unit due to environmental conditions, including, without limitation, elevated temperatures. A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may conserve expenses by eliminating or greatly reducing the instances where cosmetics or other items melt or otherwise are damaged when housed within the portable storage unit due to high temperatures or other environmental conditions. A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may be comprised of, without limitation, an outer shell, a thermal liner contained within the outer shell, and a facing material contained within the thermal liner.

A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may take the form of any number of shapes and sizes. A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may, without, limitation, be rectangular in shape. A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may, without limitation, be between approximately 5 inches and approximately 15 inches in height and between approximately 5 inches and approximately 15 inches in length. A preferred embodiment of the portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may be between approximately 7.5 inches and approximately 10 inches in height and between approximately 7.5 inches and approximately 10 inches in length. A most preferred embodiment of the portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may be approximately 8 inches in height and approximately 8 inches in length. While a portable storage unit according to this disclosure may be virtually any shape and size consistent with maintaining portability, preferred embodiments of the storage unit of the present disclosure may be designed so as to not be unnecessarily bulky thereby further enhancing portability.

A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may, optionally, comprise a zipper for opening and closing the storage unit. Skilled artisans will readily recognize alternative suitable mechanisms for opening and closing the storage unit such as, without limitation, clasps and hook-and-loop fasteners. A portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure may, optionally, contain a handle to facilitate transport of the storage unit.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the outer shell 100 of the portable storage unit of the present disclosure will now be discussed in greater detail. The outer shell may be comprised of any number of materials that skilled artisans would recognize as sufficiently durable. The outer shell may be comprised of, without limitation, leather, canvas, polyester, or silicon. The outer shell may be coated with any number of coatings that contribute to abrasion resistance and moisture absorption resistance.

The material comprising the outer shell may be any color. In a preferred embodiment of the portable storage unit enabled by this disclosure, the outer shell may be white or another color that exhibits relatively low light absorption consistent with one of the aims of the portable storage unit of the present disclosure, namely avoiding overheating within the storage unit. The skilled artisan will appreciate that black colored materials absorb all wavelengths of light and converts them into heat so that the material warms while white material reflects all wavelengths of light so that the light is not converted into heat and the temperature of the material remains relatively stable.

The thermal liner 101 will now be discussed in greater detail. The thermal liner of the present disclosure may be comprised of one or more heat resistant fabrics. A heat resistant fabric contemplated by the present disclosure may protect against the potential consequences of exposure to high temperatures. There exist a wide range of heat resistant fabrics. Each heat resistant fabric possesses its own unique properties and, therefore, different heat resistant fabrics may be suited to different applications. One type of heat resistant fabric contemplated by the present disclosure is a coated fabric. A coated fabric is one that has been treated with a coating in order to provide for one or more enhanced properties such as, without limitation, resistance to weather conditions, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and/or ultraviolet resistance. Coatings may include, without limitation, neoprene, silicone, ceramic, silica, refractory coating, vermiculite, fluoroelastomer, graphite, urethane, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Coated fabrics contemplated by the present disclosure may be highly durable. In an embodiment of the storage unit of the present disclosure, the refractory coating may comprise, without limitation, an inorganic, nonmetallic coating, such as, without limitation, silica or alumina. Suitable processes for applying a coating to the thermal liner of the present disclosure may include those commonly applied by, and readily known, by those skilled in the art including, without limitation, spraying, brushing, and dipping.

The thermal liner of the present disclosure may comprise one or more PCMs. PCMs help to maintain a stable temperature within a confined space. By melting and solidifying at the phase change temperature, a PCM is capable of storing and releasing large amounts of energy. PCMs are used in a variety of different commercial applications where energy storage and/or stable temperatures are desired such as, without limitation, certain types of clothing and for cooling for telephone switch boxes. PCMs suitable for use in the thermal liner of the portable storage unit enabled by the present disclosure may include, without limitation, organic PCMs, including, without limitation, hydrocarbons including, without limitation, paraffins and lipids.

The thermal liner may comprise a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. Weaving is generally the more traditional approach of making fabric. Woven fabrics are made by weaving together numerous threads perpendicular to each other. The threads that extend vertically through the fabric are referred to as “warp threads” and the “weft” is the thread that extends horizontally. Weaving involves alternating over and under a warp threat with a weft thread.

The thermal liner enabled by the present disclosure may be batting, knit, spunlaced, woven textile or other suitable construction of a high heat resistant material. The thermal liner may be treated with a durable, moisture resistant coating to minimize moisture absorption by the thermal liner.

As noted, the thermal liner enabled by the present disclosure may be comprised of non-woven fabric. Non-woven fabrics are comprised of long fibers that have been bonded together using some sort of heat, chemical, or mechanical treatment. Non-woven fabrics have many different uses such as, without limitation, thermal insulation, liquid repellence, and as a bacterial barrier. The skilled artisan will appreciate that non-woven fabrics are generally less expensive to manufacture than woven fabrics. The non-woven fabric may, without limitation, be comprised of 1-50 weight percent of a first inherently heat resistant fiber and a balance of a second heat resistant fiber. The non-woven may, without limitation, have a thickness of between approximately 1.5 mm and approximately 4.5 mm. The non-woven may, without limitation, have a basis weight of between approximately 1.9 osy (ounces per square yard) and approximately 5.9 osy. The fabrics comprising the non-woven may be inherently resistant to moisture absorption.

Said inherently heat resistant fibers may comprise, without limitation, aramids (including meta-aramids and/or para-aramids), polybenzimidazoles, polyamideimides, polyetherimides, polyacrylates, aromatic copolyimides, polyacrylonitriles, polyetherketones, polysulfones, polyethersulfones, melamines, polybenzoxazole, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the non-woven may, without limitation, be comprised of a blend of wool and a synthetic fiber capable of high temperature performance. Said synthetic fiber may comprise, without limitation, meta-aramid, para-aramid, or polybenzimidazole. The non-woven fabric may, without limitation, be spunlaced or perforated.

The thermal liner may be comprised of one, two, or more layers of non-woven fabric. In one illustrative embodiment, the thermal liner may be comprised of two layers of non-woven each having a different basis weight.

The non-woven material may be made of by any nonwoven process. Such processes may include, by way of example only, wet laid, air laid, carding, felting, needlepunching, and hydroentangling (spunlaced). The non-woven material may, without limitation, be flat, apertured, dimpled, or any combination of the foregoing.

The thermal liner may be comprised of moisture resistant fabric(s). When a thermal liner begins to absorb moisture it will lose its thermal insulation qualities because moisture conducts heat better than air. A preferred embodiment of the present portable storage unit may, therefore, comprise a thermal liner comprising one or more fabrics that will minimize moisture absorption.

The facing material 102 contained within the thermal liner will now be discussed in greater detail. The facing material may be made of, without limitation, cotton or vinyl. The facing material may be moisture resistant. The facing material may be affixed to the thermal liner. The facing material and the thermal liner may be quilted together. The facing material and the thermal liner may be bound together by other processes readily known to those skilled in the art.

While various aspects of the claimed portable storage unit have been described in the above disclosure, the description of this disclosure is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. The invention is defined by the scope of the claims and not the illustrations and examples provided in the above disclosure. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional aspects of the invention, which may be realized in alternative embodiments, after having the benefit of the above disclosure. Other aspects, advantages, embodiments, and modifications are within the scope of the claims of this Application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable storage unit suitable for transporting small objects, said storage unit comprising: An outer shell; A thermal liner contained within the outer shell wherein said thermal liner comprises one or more heat resistant fabrics; and a facing material contained within the thermal liner.
 2. The portable storage unit of claim 1, wherein said thermal liner further comprises a phase change material.
 3. The portable storage unit of claim 1, wherein said thermal liner comprises a non-woven.
 4. The portable storage unit of claim 1, wherein said portable storage unit is rectangular in shape.
 5. The portable storage unit of claim 4, wherein said portable storage unit is between approximately 7.5 inches and approximately 10 inches in height and between approximately 7.5 inches and approximately 10 inches in length.
 6. The portable storage unit of claim 5, wherein said portable storage unit is approximately 8 inches in height and approximately 8 inches in length. The portable storage unit of claim 3, wherein said non-woven is comprised of fabric resistant to moisture absorption.
 8. The portable storage unit of claim 3, wherein said heat resistant fabric comprises a coated fabric.
 9. The portable storage unit of claim 8, wherein said coating is selected from the group consisting of: silica, refractory coating, vermiculite, fluoroelastomer, graphite, urethane, and polytetrafluoroethylene.
 10. The portable storage unit of claim 9, wherein said coated fabric is coated with a refractory coating.
 11. The portable storage unit of claim 9, wherein said coated fabric is coated with vermiculite.
 12. A portable storage unit suitable for transporting small objects, said storage unit comprising: An outer shell; A thermal liner contained within the outer shell wherein said thermal liner comprises a non-woven comprising one or more fabrics coated with a heat resistant coating; and a facing material contained within the thermal liner.
 13. The portable storage unit of claim 12, wherein said thermal liner further comprises a phase change material.
 14. The portable storage unit of claim 12, wherein said portable storage unit is rectangular in shape.
 15. The portable storage unit of claim 14, wherein said portable storage unit is between approximately 7.5 inches and approximately 10 inches in height and between approximately 7.5 inches and approximately 10 inches in length.
 16. The portable storage unit of claim 15, wherein said portable storage unit is approximately 8 inches in height and approximately 8 inches in length.
 17. The portable storage unit of claim 12, wherein said coating is selected from the group consisting of: silica, refractory coating, vermiculite, fluoroelastomer, graphite, urethane, and polytetrafluoroethylene.
 18. The portable storage unit of claim 17, wherein said heat resistant fabric comprises a moisture resistant fabric.
 19. The portable storage unit of claim 18, wherein said coated fabric is coated with refractory coating.
 20. The portable storage unit of claim 18, wherein said coated fabric is coated with vermiculite. 